Behind the dramatic photo finish for the Indianapolis 500 race win, and even the three-wide fight to the line for third, was an easy-to-miss No. 76 Chevrolet.
That was a Juncos Hollinger Racing entry with driver by Rinus VeeKay, who delivered the team its best-ever showing in the Indianapolis 500. It was also a career-best finish for VeeKay as well, placing sixth after qualifying inside the Fast 12.
The underdog team’s previous best showing in the Indy 500 was eighth, which came with Conor Daly one year ago.
Speaking with Motorsport.com, VeeKay reflected on very up-and-down day, saying: “This was a roller coaster. I’m sure not just for me. We had a bit of an unfortunate strategy call to stay out on the first yellow, when everybody but three or four cars pitted. Didn’t fall our way there. We kind of fell back to the back of the pack, cycled all the way to the back and raced our own race from there on. Saved fuel, kind of hung back, and took a spot here and there. Then at the third stop, I think both windows kind of emerged. We were on the same strategy as everybody else. And then at the end we could pivot. I’d saved enough fuel and do one less stop than most. So, a good call and a bad call in one race.
“Our strategy, I think, that’s the 500, you can come back. And, yeah, to still be so strong on the final restart was really good. So, incredible effort by Juncos Hollinger Racing, everybody on the team, not just my crew, but also Sting Ray’s, to give the drivers confidence throughout the month. I’ve been very comfortable all month. And, yeah, we maximized this race. So, I would have been happier if I won, for sure. But I’m very satisfied with our result and our fighting spirit.”
VeeKay believes the team has the pace to compete, but they need to have better strategy and a bit more luck. At Indianapolis, he was running ninth when the race-altering caution for Collet flew. He reached as high as fifth in the chaotic restarts that followed, before securing sixth at Lap 200.
“We have pace. We need strategy to go away a little bit, and we’re there,” remarked VeeKay on JHR’s progression. “And that’s kind of been our whole story this season. We have been quick, but haven’t had the lock on strategy. By now, I think it was a bit of a wash on strategy. We had a bit of bad luck at the start, good luck at the end. And, yeah, we keep fighting to the end. This young team has a lot to fight for.
“And I think this is only their start. I think they have a really bright future ahead of them.”
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: motorsport.com
